LOS RAKAS

Los Rakas is comprised of cousins Raka Rich and Raka Dun, pioneering Panamanians by way of the Bay Area on the frontier of a new Latin urban sound. Known for their fresh mix of hip-hop, plena, reggae and dancehall music; the Grammy-nominated duo represents the cutting edge of Pan-American flows.

Taking their name from the Panamanian word “Rakataka,” a negative slur used to describe someone from the ghetto, Los Rakas have set out to inspire fellow “Rakas” by empowering them to become successful despite their circumstances.

In 2012, Los Rakas released their EP, Raka Love, touring nationally and internationally. Their debut album on Universal Music Latino, El Negrito Dun Dun y Ricardo, released in 2014. In 2016, Los Rakas released their self-titled, second album earning them a Grammy nomination for “Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album”. Their 2019 album Manes De Negocio is best described by Remezcla as a “socially conscious trap soiree”.

As KQED states, Los Rakas are “positioning themselves as the heirs of pioneering Black Panamanian reggaetoneros such as El General and Renato.” Los Rakas are turning the current Latin hip-hop world on its head.

MAKING MOVIES

Latinx Rock N’ Rollers and activists Making Movies and Grammy-nominated Hip-Hop duo Los Rakas take on the West Coast on their Panameri’kana Tour.

“We instantly connected with Los Rakas and their way of exalting the underclass even through their name,” Enrique explains. Los Rakas name is drawn from the word “Rakataka”, which is a derogatory way of describing the Afro community in Panama. “I think we are all exploring identity. The deeper you look into it the messier it gets, and the more systemic racism has impacted how we see our world and ourselves.”

Panameri’kana is a play on the concept of Panamerican - everyone on this continent share some common identities. “We are Panamanian and Panamerican,” Enrique says. “The reggaeton rhythm in Panamá is just as much American music as any americana music.”

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